REDUCED BONE MASS AND NORMAL CALCIUM-METABOLISM IN SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSISWITH AND WITHOUT CALCINOSIS

Forty-three female patients with systemic sclerosis divided into subgr oups based on the extent of skin involvement and the presence of calci nosis, and 50 sex and age-matched healthy controls were investigated f or bone mineral density (BMD) on the basis of radial (dual photon abso rptiometry, Osteograph, NIM), lumbar, and total body measurements (dua l energy X-ray absorptiometry, Lunar DPX, Lunar Corp.), and for parame ters of calcium metabolism, The patients showed a lower BMD (mean +/- SD; mg/cm(2)) than the controls at the radial (313 +/- 69 vs 347 +/- 7 3; p < 0.005), lumbar (974 +/- 143 vs 1081 +/- 154; p < 0.005), and to tal body (997 +/- 82 vs 1075 +/- 109; p < 0.05) determinations, The pa tients with the diffuse form of skin involvement had lower values than those with the limited form. There was a negative correlation between BMD and the duration of the disease. The presence of calcinosis was n ot found to have any effect on BMD, Calcium metabolism was found to be normal in each subgroup. It may be concluded that generalized osteopo rosis is a feature of systemic sclerosis, with and without calcinosis. The extent and duration of the disease may play a role in determining bone loss.